The "shirt tucked-in and shoes untied" phrase, repeated twice, is the one I kind of found most intriguing. Basically put, I think this is a gorgeous way of describing how these two people, in the face of one of life's most difficult situations, are attempting to put on a strong, smiling facade "tucked-in shirt," while actually, at their very core, being functionally "untied."
A tucked-in shirt is what? Completely aesthetic. There is no physical benefit or reason to have a shirt tucked in or not, - it's simply something you do to appear a little more "put together" to those around you.
An untied shoe, on the other hand, will probably be noticed after the shirt. This is something that's a little "below the radar." That being said, an untied shoe is more than simply an aesthetic problem, it's a functional one as well - you can very well fall down, and possibly hurt yourself from tripping on a shoelace. So to me, this phrase really, and I think purposefully, highlights the juxtaposition of appearances/reality, strength/weakness, maturity/age - all themes which kind of undercurrent through the song.
I didn't even think about that. But reading it, I completely agree. That's a really interesting way to think about, but I would believe that's what he was going for.
I didn't even think about that. But reading it, I completely agree. That's a really interesting way to think about, but I would believe that's what he was going for.
I'd realized that it meant not being functional - but I hadn't realized the putting on a facade of being put together. But you're exactly right. He's trying to put on a brave face, while completely falling apart...
I'd realized that it meant not being functional - but I hadn't realized the putting on a facade of being put together. But you're exactly right. He's trying to put on a brave face, while completely falling apart...
@IndieLover I interpret the idea that one's shirt is tucked in yet their shoes are untied as someone either getting dressed or getting undressed. For the purpose of the subject of the song, I picture she was hastily getting dressed while leaving her house to avoid dealing with her father and his knowledge of the prior night. For the narrator, he was slowly undressing following some kind of service (it is a Sunday). Therefore, I picture each character in a different state of undressing/dressing which caters to their situation in a relatively fitting way.
@IndieLover I interpret the idea that one's shirt is tucked in yet their shoes are untied as someone either getting dressed or getting undressed. For the purpose of the subject of the song, I picture she was hastily getting dressed while leaving her house to avoid dealing with her father and his knowledge of the prior night. For the narrator, he was slowly undressing following some kind of service (it is a Sunday). Therefore, I picture each character in a different state of undressing/dressing which caters to their situation in a relatively fitting way.
@IndieLover i agree absolutely. it's such a fabulous line, so poetic. it paints such a specific image in your head, and can have so many connotations. the buildup with the moments of intimacy ("I almost touched your blouse" & "When your father found out what we did that night") make this line remind me of a "morning after" or "walk of shame" type of look, something thrown together messily before running out the door.
@IndieLover i agree absolutely. it's such a fabulous line, so poetic. it paints such a specific image in your head, and can have so many connotations. the buildup with the moments of intimacy ("I almost touched your blouse" & "When your father found out what we did that night") make this line remind me of a "morning after" or "walk of shame" type of look, something thrown together messily before running out the door.
@IndieLover this idea of yours also ties into the John Wayne Gacy song where he provides a conversational and friendly exterior while hiding horrors under his floorboards (that at the end ties into the narrator and all of us really with hidden secrets underneath the mask we present to everyone besides our most intimate loved ones, if we do at all)
@IndieLover this idea of yours also ties into the John Wayne Gacy song where he provides a conversational and friendly exterior while hiding horrors under his floorboards (that at the end ties into the narrator and all of us really with hidden secrets underneath the mask we present to everyone besides our most intimate loved ones, if we do at all)
The "shirt tucked-in and shoes untied" phrase, repeated twice, is the one I kind of found most intriguing. Basically put, I think this is a gorgeous way of describing how these two people, in the face of one of life's most difficult situations, are attempting to put on a strong, smiling facade "tucked-in shirt," while actually, at their very core, being functionally "untied."
A tucked-in shirt is what? Completely aesthetic. There is no physical benefit or reason to have a shirt tucked in or not, - it's simply something you do to appear a little more "put together" to those around you.
An untied shoe, on the other hand, will probably be noticed after the shirt. This is something that's a little "below the radar." That being said, an untied shoe is more than simply an aesthetic problem, it's a functional one as well - you can very well fall down, and possibly hurt yourself from tripping on a shoelace. So to me, this phrase really, and I think purposefully, highlights the juxtaposition of appearances/reality, strength/weakness, maturity/age - all themes which kind of undercurrent through the song.
Any thoughts?
I didn't even think about that. But reading it, I completely agree. That's a really interesting way to think about, but I would believe that's what he was going for.
I didn't even think about that. But reading it, I completely agree. That's a really interesting way to think about, but I would believe that's what he was going for.
What a fantastic lyricist.
What a fantastic lyricist.
I'd realized that it meant not being functional - but I hadn't realized the putting on a facade of being put together. But you're exactly right. He's trying to put on a brave face, while completely falling apart...
I'd realized that it meant not being functional - but I hadn't realized the putting on a facade of being put together. But you're exactly right. He's trying to put on a brave face, while completely falling apart...
@IndieLover I interpret the idea that one's shirt is tucked in yet their shoes are untied as someone either getting dressed or getting undressed. For the purpose of the subject of the song, I picture she was hastily getting dressed while leaving her house to avoid dealing with her father and his knowledge of the prior night. For the narrator, he was slowly undressing following some kind of service (it is a Sunday). Therefore, I picture each character in a different state of undressing/dressing which caters to their situation in a relatively fitting way.
@IndieLover I interpret the idea that one's shirt is tucked in yet their shoes are untied as someone either getting dressed or getting undressed. For the purpose of the subject of the song, I picture she was hastily getting dressed while leaving her house to avoid dealing with her father and his knowledge of the prior night. For the narrator, he was slowly undressing following some kind of service (it is a Sunday). Therefore, I picture each character in a different state of undressing/dressing which caters to their situation in a relatively fitting way.
@IndieLover i agree absolutely. it's such a fabulous line, so poetic. it paints such a specific image in your head, and can have so many connotations. the buildup with the moments of intimacy ("I almost touched your blouse" & "When your father found out what we did that night") make this line remind me of a "morning after" or "walk of shame" type of look, something thrown together messily before running out the door.
@IndieLover i agree absolutely. it's such a fabulous line, so poetic. it paints such a specific image in your head, and can have so many connotations. the buildup with the moments of intimacy ("I almost touched your blouse" & "When your father found out what we did that night") make this line remind me of a "morning after" or "walk of shame" type of look, something thrown together messily before running out the door.
@IndieLover this idea of yours also ties into the John Wayne Gacy song where he provides a conversational and friendly exterior while hiding horrors under his floorboards (that at the end ties into the narrator and all of us really with hidden secrets underneath the mask we present to everyone besides our most intimate loved ones, if we do at all)
@IndieLover this idea of yours also ties into the John Wayne Gacy song where he provides a conversational and friendly exterior while hiding horrors under his floorboards (that at the end ties into the narrator and all of us really with hidden secrets underneath the mask we present to everyone besides our most intimate loved ones, if we do at all)